The Magnificat

"He pours contempt upon princess, makes them wander in trackless wastes. They diminish, are reduced to nothing by oppression, evil and sorrow. but he raises the needy from distress, makes family as numerous as a flock. The upright sees it and rejoices but all who do wrong are silenced. Whoever is wise, let him he'd these things and consider the love of the Lord."
(Psalm  107:40-43)

"Whoever is wise...consider the love of the Lord..."

After reading the verses above, it struck me that if you believe you have all you need: power, honor, glory and riches according to the world, you have nothing because you are relying on yourself and not God.

Since there is no room in your heart to receive Him because "self" is all consuming, then you are nothing and oppression, evil and sorrow will be your company.

Whereas if you recognize the poverty of your spirit and your need to rely on God's love instead of the love of self, he will rejoice when God's saving love rules in your heart.

Let your heart be prepared for the coming of Our Lord the son of the most high during these final days of Advent.

This commentary gave great insight for further contemplation for me. I pray it will help your heart's preparation for the coming of our Lord too!

From a commentary on Luke by Venerable Bede, priest
(Lib 1, 46-55: CCL 120, 37-39)

The Magnificat

Mary said: My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.

The Lord has exalted me by a gift so great, so unheard of, that language is useless to describe it, and the depths of love in my heart can scarcely grasp it. I offer then all the powers of my soul in praise and thanksgiving. As I contemplate his greatness, which knows no limits, I joyfully surrender my whole life, my senses, my judgment, for my spirit rejoices in the eternal Godhead of that Jesus, that Savior, whom I have conceived in this world of time.

The Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.

Mary looks back to the beginning of her song, where she said: My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord. Only that soul for whom the Lord in his love does great things can proclaim his greatness with fitting praise and encourage those who share her desire and purpose, saying: Join with me in proclaiming the greatness of the Lord; let us extol his name together.

Those who know the Lord, yet refuse to proclaim his greatness and sanctify his name to the limit of their power, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. His name is called holy because in the sublimity of his unique power he surpasses every creature and is far removed from all that he had made.

He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he has remembered his promise of mercy. In a beautiful phrase Mary calls Israel the servant of the Lord. The Lord came to his aid to save him. Israel is an obedient and humble servant, in the words of Hosea: Israel was a servant, and I loved him.

Those who refuse to be humble cannot be saved. They cannot say with the prophet: See, God comes to my aid; the Lord is the helper of my soul. But anyone who makes himself humble like a little child is greater in the kingdom of heaven.

The promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever.

This does not refer to the physical descendants of Abraham, but to his spiritual children. These are his descendants, sprung not from the flesh only, but who, whether circumcised or not, have followed him in faith. Circumcised as he was, Abraham believed, and this was credited to him as an act of righteousness.

The coming of the Savior was promised to Abraham and to his descendants for ever. These are the children of promise, to whom it is said: If you belong to Christ, then you are descendants of Abraham, heirs in accordance with the promise.

May the love of God wash over you this day that you may believe.

God Bless,
Sarah